The latter part of the semester was the most interesting due to the fact many guest speakers were able to present their knowledge in their corresponding specialized fields. The speakers came from various kinds of health professions. Because of the diversity, I felt this was a great addition for the class providing students with a better insight to the uniqueness each guest offered. Their visits will lead me to question my own career path.
When I went to visit my grandparents last year in the Philippines, I became distraught by the 3rd world nature my so-called 'homeland' country is. I am a 1st generation American and because of that, I do not know the day-in, day-out idiosyncrasies of the Philippines. For the month I lived there, I admired the beauty the islands provided but on the other side of the spectrum, I took a step back contemplating the following questions, "How can I make a difference in this province?", "Where does all the trash go?", "How can I provide and incorporate better sanitation methods?" and "How can I ensure the water is not contaminated?" This memory leads me to follow a closer view of Steve Kim's environmental health presentation.
As Steve explained each slide in his Powerpoint presentation, I was enthusiastically listening to the invaluable information he provided. He touched on a plethora of topics- from food protection programs, medical waste, to ocean and water programs to name a few. I found his environmental health presentation to be the most interesting.
Before starting college at CSF, I went on a few government websites to look for "The Job". I stumbled on an Environmental Health Specialist position. Directly taken from the Contra Costa county government website, it noted that Environmental Health Specialists "perform environmental health inspections and investigations, secure compliance with applicable local and state health laws and regulations, and promote community interest in improvement of general environmental health."
The job ad also listed the salary breakdown, certification and education requirements, as well as its benefits. I figure it would be an excellent step to gain a deeper understanding of the environmental health profession. In the future I planned on going back to the Philippines in hope of making a better impact in the provinces. What was learned from the environmental health specialist position would be a great opportunity to utilize the skills learned to better apply efficient sanitation methods in regards with trash or water issues. Because of this, I wanted to become an environmental health specialist- or so I thought.
From northern California, my life's journey brought me back home to southern California in order to go back to college. As I needed a job to help pay mortgage and school supplies, I landed a job with my friend's brother-in-law's staffing company. I ended up becoming the human resource/safety & risk manager/claims administrator for our small company to which I am still presently working. This tidbit of information is crucial because as I thought of this environmental health position, I had envisioned a tedious paperwork of laws and repetitiveness of the nature of the job.
Additionally, having gained a better understanding of what public health is from HESC 220 and its many opportunities of segue ways forced me to re-evaluate the possible interests in health science, aside of environmental health. After a few major life realizations as well as community help I provided in 2004, all I knew was that I wanted to help better the world.
With that said, guest speakers, Laura Chandler's health science insight and Pam Hipp epidemiology knowledge was next on the list of fascinating potential career outlooks. Of these positions, I found a fonder similar liking to Laura Chandler's health education background. She discussed the infinite possibilities of a health science education degree. Pam Hipp's epidemiology background sounded very exciting though in the back of my head I was already imagining corporate America again- plugging in numbers, creating stories, and stuck in a cubicle. This overly exaggerated thought scared me.
Though I do not have the exact professional degree at hand, I do know that I would like to be a health educator- to inform and teach people public issues- environmental or health-related. Additionally, homelessness, poverty & water conservation are sensitive personal topics to me and in these particular topics I would also like to better educate people of such issues.
Ideally, upon graduation I would like to work as a health educator for the government, school-system or not-for-profit organization working out on the field. I would also like to volunteer and work internationally. In the future, I aspire to open an education center in the Philippines.
As a health educator, many responsibilities incorporate their daily demands depending upon the environment of the job. Working from a medical provider such as Kaiser Permanente, compared to educating students in a college forum or educating adults in prison is completely different. Major tasks would differ with the primary responsibility to EDUCATE. Secondary responsibilities might include outreaching, developing new kinds of programs, screenings, and possibly writing grants.
Currently, as a safety/risk manager, I am responsible for posting mandatory posters, creating an OSHA 300 log, developing safety incentive programs, safety days, and claims management just to name a few. Though it is exactly not a health educator per se, I am continuously learning occupational laws and I am able to see the kinds of injuries that are most common in the tradesman industry. Additionally, with my assistance, the last few months our company has contributed to helping the public out to such organizations as Micah's Way (adult learning & shelter) and Su Casa (domestic violence).
In addition, having worked with the Wellness Community for a few of their events has enabled me to continue outreaching towards cancer survivors and their love ones. Last month, I went with several others from CSF to volunteer for a one-day trip to Baja, Mexico to help assist an orphanage. On an international volunteering level, I am already registered to volunteer with ISV (International Student Volunteers) for four weeks in the Dominican Republic as of August 2007.
Upon graduation of a Baccalaureate degree from CSF and having acquired a Certified Health Specialist certification, I would like to continue furthering a degree towards a Masters of Public Health or International Public Health.
Throughout each guest speaker's presentation, I learned that health science incorporates an array of career paths and categories. The growth is limitless. Their presentations have made me question and reflect on my own potential career paths into the world of health science.
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